Two Seas in Palestine

Here is one of my favorite stories: Two Seas in Palestine There are two seas in Palestine—one is fresh and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it, and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing water. Along its shores the children play as children played when He was there. He loved it. He could look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables, and on a rolling plain not far away He fed five thousand people.

The River Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills so it laughs in the sunshine, and men build their houses near to it, and the birds build their nests. Every kind of life is happier because it is there. The River Jordan flows on south into another sea. Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no songs of birds, no children’s laughter. Travelers choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its waters, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink.


What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas? Not the River Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie. Not the country roundabout. This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives, but does not keep the Jordan; for every drop that flows into it, another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure. The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into generous impulse. Every drop it gets it keeps. The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. The other sea gives nothing; it is named “The Dead Sea”. There are two kinds of people in the world. There are two seas in Palestine. From Especially for Mormons, 1:334-35.